Grey’s Anatomy Has Been Around Forever, Let’s Take a Look Back at How Much the Cast Has Changed

Sarah joined the cast in 2009 as one of the interns from “rival” hospital, Mercy West, when it merged with Seattle Grace. Due to her faith, her character struggled with many difficulties, especially seeing good people die.

Her relationship with Jackson was both tumultuous and heartwarming, especially after they lost their baby to Spina Bifida. April married Matthew and left Seattle to continue working with the homeless.

Sarah has appeared in a few guest roles since leaving Grey’s Anatomy, but her success has largely come from Hallmark movies like Christmas in Vienna and Reindeer Games Homecoming.

She also played the lead role in the 2020 film Indivisible, based on the true story behind the film. In addition to acting, Sarah has also directed episodes of the TV shows Grey’s Anatomy and Mixed-ish.

Jackson Avery, a plastic surgeon at Grey-Sloan Memorial, had to live up to the legacy of his world-famous surgeon grandfather Harper Avery. He had a relationship with fellow surgeon April Kepner, and they had two children, but their first child passed from a birth defect, straining their relationship.

The couple broke up in Season 12. Jackson later invited April to join him in Boston to take over the Harper Avery Foundation, which they both accepted, resulting in their departure from the show.

Jesse Williams produced the Academy Award-winning short film Two Distant Strangers in 2021. The actor has been active in many other projects outside of Grey’s Anatomy. He has appeared in films such as Selah and The Spades, and Random Acts of Violence.

Williams starred in the Broadway revival of Take Me Out. He has also produced a number of projects, including a documentary and a short film called Two Distant Strangers. This film went on to win the Academy Award for Best Live-Action Short Film in 2021.

Arizona joined Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital as the new head of pediatric surgery and developed a crush on Callie. They eventually got married, but their marriage was strained due to their disagreement about having kids.

Arizona lost her leg in a plane crash where the team lost Mark and Lexie. After some affairs, a surprise baby, and a custody battle, Arizona eventually moved to New York to be with Callie and their daughter.

Jessica Capshaw has since appeared in Dear Zoe, as well as several other TV shows. This includes a recurring role in the legal drama series For the People and a guest role in the comedy series Big Shot.

She also appeared in the Lifetime movie A Christmas Wish and voiced the character of Jetstream in the animated series Harley Quinn.

Link, head of orthopedic surgery, is known for his brilliance with children and their injuries. He’s also passionate about using 3D printers to create prosthetics with superhero themes. His relationship with Amelia began after she found out she was pregnant with his baby.

Although Link had initial fears about being a father, he eventually chose to support Amelia and be there for the birth of their son, Scout Derek Shepherd Lincoln. Chris Carmack remains a regular cast member on the show, with no upcoming projects announced.

In addition to his acting career, Carmack has also pursued a music career and released his debut album, Pieces of You, in 2018.

He continues to balance his acting and music endeavors while also portraying Dr. Atticus “Link” Lincoln on Grey’s Anatomy. And we’re glad he’s still around!

Lexie was Meredith’s half-sister who had a strong desire to establish a relationship with her. Lexie also had an on-and-off relationship with Mark Sloan, who she shared a deep love for. The couple had a tumultuous relationship that included Mark fathering a child with Callie Torres.

In season eight, both Lexie and Mark passed away tragically in a plane crash while on their way to perform surgery. Chyler Leigh discussed her exit with the show’s creators to ensure that it was done properly.

After leaving Grey’s Anatomy, Chyler Leigh landed a leading role in the TV series Taxi Brooklyn. This show aired from 2014 to 2015.

She then went on to star in the series Supergirl, which premiered in 2015 and ran for six seasons, with Leigh portraying the character Alex Danvers.

The first episode of Grey’s Anatomy featured Meredith getting out of a stranger’s bed, only to discover he was her boss at work. Meredith aimed to make her own name in the medical field, despite her famous surgeon mother’s legacy.

Meredith’s relationship with Derek is a focal point of the show and one that everyone has been cheering for. She faced love, heartbreak, and loss. After Derek’s passing, Meredith continued to dedicate herself to her family and career.

In 2022, Ellen Pompeo announced her departure from the show, and the writers moved Meredith and her kids to Boston to continue her story. We’re excited to see what’s next for Ellen, though!

Ellen Pompeo has primarily focused on her work on Grey’s Anatomy over the years, but she’s also appeared in a few other projects. She starred in the film Life of the Party in 2018, where she played a supporting role. Pompeo also executive produced the limited series Paradise in 2021, which aired on IMDb TV.

Mark Sloane was a character on Grey’s Anatomy who had a complicated history with the main characters. He was introduced in season two and became known as “McSteamy.” He had affairs with both Derek’s wife, Addison, and Derek’s love interest, Meredith.

Despite his early troublesome behavior, Mark redeemed himself and became a series favorite. He had a tumultuous relationship with Meredith’s sister, Lexie, and also had a fling with Callie, resulting in the birth of their daughter, Sofia.

Eric Dane, who played Mark Sloane, left Grey’s Anatomy to take on the main role in the TV series, The Last Ship. Since leaving Grey’s Anatomy, Eric Dane has been busy with various projects. In addition to his starring role in The Last Ship, he’s also appeared in several movies, including Valentine’s Day, Marley & Me, and Burlesque.

He also had a recurring role in the HBO series Euphoria as Cal Jacobs, and appeared in the FX series Pose as a character named Vince Winters. In 2021, he starred in the Netflix film Stowaway alongside Anna Kendrick and Toni Collette.

Dr. Andrew DeLuca is introduced in a dramatic way in Grey’s Anatomy, bringing in patients from an ambulance and declaring himself a surgeon. Unfortunately, his first day at Grey Sloan Memorial goes awry as the other interns reject him, and he’s attacked by Jo’s boyfriend, Alex.

Andrew makes friends with Jo and rekindles a romance with an ex, but she has to leave to avoid being deported. Andrew then kisses Meredith, beginning their relationship. He later takes the fall for her insurance fraud, and they confess their love for each other. Sadly, Andrew exited the show in Season 17.

Giacomo Gianniotti, who played Dr. Andrew DeLuca on Grey’s Anatomy, has continued to pursue acting after leaving the show. The actor is set to appear as Diabolik in the movie Diabolik – Ginkgo Attacks.

He’s appeared in several movies, including Acquainted and The Catcher Was a Spy, and has also had recurring roles in TV shows such as Murdoch Mysteries and The Good Doctor. Additionally, Gianniotti has directed several episodes of Grey’s Anatomy and has expressed interest in pursuing more directing opportunities in the future.

Greg played a popular character in Grey’s Anatomy, known for his arrogance, but he’s best known for his SAG award-winning role as Richard Fish in Ally McBeal. He portrayed a talented neurosurgeon in Grey’s Anatomy, often saving patients with neurological issues.

Despite his perpetual flirting, his short-lived relationship with Teddy ended when she left him for Owen. During the episodes that take place in 2020, Dr. Tom struggles with the virus, witnessing people passing on and losing his love interest to a rival, leading him to accept a position in Boston.

You can catch the actor in Firefly Lane on Netflix. But he also had recurring roles on shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and The Unicorn, as well as guest appearances on The Flight Attendant and 9-1-1: Lone Star.

In addition, he has lent his voice to several animated series, including Big Hero 6: The Series and Harley Quinn. Germann has also appeared in films such as Tallulah and The Last Word.

Dr. Preston Burke, a tough but brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon, developed a relationship with Cristina, and they decided to marry, despite his intolerance for her mistakes. On the day of the wedding, he left Cristina waiting at the altar, citing cold feet.

Isaiah Washington’s exit from the show was due to negative public comments he made against co-star T.R. Knight. After he made some derogatory remarks, the show didn’t want to be associated with him.

Since then, Washington has moved on to roles in other shows, like The 100. In 2022, he co-wrote, directed, and starred in the film Corsicana. Isaiah Washington has also appeared in The CW’s drama, The Last Ship.

He has also starred in several films, including Blue Caprice, Blackbird, and Cut Throat City. Additionally, Washington has produced and directed several projects, such as his directorial debut, the film Made in America.

The typical nerd with an overprotective mother, Levi battled socially and lacked self-confidence, resulting in him being very clumsy, which affected his work. His family helped him get through medical school, but at the price of being involved in every decision he had to make.

Nico Kim, an orthopedic fellow, winked at Levi during a surgery. Levi had never dated anyone before and wasn’t sure about his romantic attractions. During a severe wind storm, Levi and Nico were trapped in an ambulance, where he told Nico he thought he could be gay. Nico, swayed by Levi’s story, kisses him, and they embark on a relationship.

Jake came out on the show and in real life at the same time. Borelli announced just how overjoyed he was to play a gay character that was missing from TV shows when he was growing up.

He’s still currently on the show, but has also been in several other TV shows, such as Station 19 and NCIS, and movies, including The Thing About Harry.

Dr. Richard Webber was the first Chief of Surgery, aka The Big Boss, at Seattle-Grace and, although intimidating, was also kind to the terrified interns. He knew Meredith’s late mother, having worked with her before, and could see Meredith had inherited her mother’s medical talents.

Dr. Webber lost his wife, somehow got electrocuted, and helped Meredith with the insurance fraud, which got him fired, albeit temporarily. He’s still roaming the halls of Grey Sloan Memorial to this day. Honestly, he’s the glue that holds Grey’s Anatomy together.

James is still a regular on the show, the longest-standing actor in the series. Away from his professional career, he enjoys horseback riding and roping cattle.

He’s been taking fewer acting jobs as he’s been getting older. But James Pickens can also be seen on The Conners and Station 19, and heard on The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.

Alex was introduced as a rude intern at Seattle Grace Hospital, but his brilliance in medicine, particularly with children, made him an invaluable asset to the hospital. He was involved with several characters, including Izzie, Meredith, and Jo, with whom he ultimately got married.

However, after discovering that Izzie had his children, he left Seattle to be with them. Justin Chambers, who played Alex, decided to leave the show after 15 years.

Since leaving Grey’s Anatomy, Justin Chambers has appeared in a few projects. He played a recurring role in the Netflix miniseries The Dangerous Book for Boys in 2018.

He also starred in the film Grey Lady in 2017 and had a supporting role in the drama film The Public in 2018. In addition to his on-screen work, Chambers has also done voice acting for video games, including The Legend of Tarzan in 2016 and Final Fantasy Type-0 HD in 2015.

Addison shocked viewers in the season one finale as no one knew she and Derek were still married, which made things awkward with his new girlfriend, Meredith. After the love triangle was resolved and Addison and Derek divorced, producer Shonda Rimes created the spin-off Private Practice with Kate as the lead. The show had successful crossovers with Grey’s Anatomy but ended after five seasons in 2013.

Kate Walsh was not done with Seattle Grace, though, because she made a return to Grey’s Anatomy in its 18th season as Dr. Addison Montgomery. Her appearance was highly anticipated by fans, who were excited to see her character back on the show after such a long absence.

Kate’s performance on Grey’s Anatomy was praised by viewers and critics alike, and her return added an extra layer of nostalgia to the show’s already emotional storyline. Kate has since appeared in 13 Reasons Why and The Umbrella Academy on Netflix.

In addition to her work on television, she has also appeared in several films, including the comedy-drama Girls Trip and the action-thriller Honest Thief. Walsh has also continued to work on stage, appearing in productions of If I Forget and 365 Days/365 Plays.

Izzie was a tenacious character who overcame a tough upbringing to become a successful doctor. She fought hard to save the life of her patient and love interest, Denny, but was devastated when he ultimately passed away.

After being diagnosed with cancer, she married Alex Karev, but was later fired and left the show in season six. Katherine Heigl’s departure from Grey’s Anatomy was marred by tension, and it was reportedly due to her removing her name from an Emmy nomination.

After leaving Grey’s Anatomy, Katherine Heigl went on to star in several movies, including Life as We Know It, Killers, and One for the Money. She also starred in the NBC political drama series State of Affairs.

In 2020, she starred in and produced the Netflix series Firefly Lane, based on the novel by Kristin Hannah. Heigl has also been actively involved in philanthropic work, including working with organizations such as the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation, which focuses on animal welfare, and the American Cancer Society.

Owen Hunt came to Seattle Grace from serving overseas and took the position of head of trauma surgery. His unstable personality intertwined with being a love interest for Cristina Yang was an interesting story arc. His relationship with Cristina was strained and eventually came to an end when she left for a better position in Switzerland.

Owen then starts a relationship with Amelia, but he has an affair with Teddy, which results in a pregnancy. Then it’s discovered Amelia has a brain tumor. Things get messy, and they divorce. Owen adopts a baby given up by a teenage substance abuser, and Teddy gives birth to a girl that they name Alison. Eventually, Owen and Teddy unite and get married.

Kevin McKidd is still on the show, and makes the occasional guest appearance in Station 19. He has also acted in a few movies in recent years, including T2 Trainspotting and Tulip Fever. You can also catch him in a few episodes of Six Four.

Kevin’s busy in his personal life too. He got married in 2018 and welcomed two children soon after — a son in 2018 and a daughter in 2019. He also has two children from his first marriage.

Derek, played by Patrick Dempsey, was initially introduced in Grey’s Anatomy as a married man, which caused a stir among fans when it was revealed that he had a complicated past with Meredith. Their relationship was one of the central storylines of the show, with ups and downs, including a marriage and a devastating passing.

After a much-anticipated reconciliation, Derek was involved in a fatal car accident. He made an appearance in a dream sequence to tell Meredith it wasn’t her time to go and that she had to wake up from her coma. Patrick had been thinking of leaving the show for a while, so to keep his and Meredith’s love frozen in time, the writers wrote him out.

Since leaving Grey’s Anatomy, Patrick Dempsey has appeared in various films and television shows. He starred in the films Bridget Jones’s Baby and The Art of Racing in the Rain, as well as the TV miniseries The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair.

Dempsey also executive produced and starred in the TV series Devils. In addition to his acting career, Dempsey is an avid race car driver and has competed in various races around the world.

Cristina proved to have a natural ability for cardiothoracic surgery, and Preston Burke took her under his wing, giving her extra attention, if you know what we mean. When he got hurt and developed a hand tremor, jeopardizing his surgeries, she covered for him. They quickly formed an unusual relationship, eventually getting engaged.

The marriage wasn’t meant to be, with Burke leaving Cristina at the altar. After he left, Cristina had on-off relationships with Owen Hunt and Shane Ross. She actually married Hunt, but the relationship was doomed because she didn’t want kids, and he did. Cristina eventually moved to Switzerland, where she bought a hospital and thrived.

Since leaving Grey’s Anatomy, Sandra Oh has been keeping busy with numerous acting projects. The talented actress has gone on to star in Killing Eve, earning her a second Golden Globe, with her first coming from her performance as Cristina Yang.

In 2013, she starred in the independent film Window Horses: The Poetic Persian Epiphany of Rosie Ming and lent her voice to the animated movie The Tale of the Princess Kaguya. In addition, Oh has made appearances in various TV shows and films, including American Crime and Catfight.

George was a beloved intern who fell in love with Meredith at first sight. After their one-night stand, George moved on to Callie, whom he eventually married. However, their relationship was strained after he discovered Callie had a fling with Mark Sloan.

George had a one-night stand with Izzie, but they ultimately fizzled out. He enlisted and was fatally injured in a bus accident before he could be deployed. T.R. Knight left the show due to a “breakdown in communication with the show creators.”

T.R. Knight has continued to work in television and theater. He appeared in the television shows The Good Wife, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Genius, among others.

He also had a recurring role in the Hulu series, 11.22.63, based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name. In theater, he starred in the Broadway productions of It’s Only a Play and Noises Off, as well as the off-Broadway play Pocatello.

Callie was a recurring character turned regular on Grey’s Anatomy. She became romantically involved with George, whom she later married, but their relationship deteriorated after he had a one-night stand with Izzie. Callie later discovered she was bi after a flirty encounter with Erica Hahn, but their relationship didn’t last.

She eventually married Arizona Robbins, but their marriage faced challenges after Callie became pregnant with Mark Sloane’s child. After the plane crash where Mark and Lexie were lost, Callie had to approve the amputation of Arizona’s leg. This decision led to their marriage’s downfall.

Sara Ramirez, who played Callie, is now focused on their singing career since leaving the show. Along with their music, though, Sara has continued to pursue their acting career.

They landed a lead role in the CBS drama Madam Secretary, where they played the character Kat Sandoval from 2017 to 2019. They have also lent their voice to the character of Queen Miranda in the Disney animated series Sofia the First and the spinoff series Elena of Avalor.

Camilla Luddington is a British-born actress who joined Grey’s Anatomy in season nine, taking on the role of Dr. Jo Wilson. She was initially only a guest star, but by season 10, her character proved very popular, and she became a regular.

Jo’s difficult past was revealed, including the fact that she changed her name to avoid her ex-husband. Camilla Luddington’s sensitive and powerful portrayal of the character has garnered praise from fans and critics of the show.

The actress appeared in several other TV shows, including Californication, True Blood, and The Royals. In 2020, she starred in the Netflix holiday film The Christmas Setup.

Camilla is still on the show, saving lives as an OB-GYN. Her character has had quite the arc, from meeting Alex and eventually marrying him and then him leaving, to meeting baby Luna whose mom passed away giving birth, and, after a lot of struggles, becoming her adoptive mother. We look forward to where her story goes from here.

Amelia Shepherd is Derek Shepherd’s little sister and first appeared on Private Practice with her former sister-in-law, Addison Montgomery. When Private Practice ended its run in 2013, Amelia moved over to Seattle Grace, and Caterina became part of the main cast of the mother show from season 11.

While working with her former sister-in-law Addison, she had many struggles, including the loss of a newborn. She also had a failed marriage to Owen, a brain tumor diagnosis, and a surprise pregnancy. The character still roams the halls of the hospital and even occasionally guest stars on Station 19.

Besides Grey’s Anatomy, Caterina Scorsone has appeared on the TV series Missing and starred in the Lifetime movie 1-800-Missing. In 2013, she appeared in the film The November Man with Pierce Brosnan.

Scorsone also lent her voice to the animated series Ready Jet Go! and Pound Puppies. Caterina is still on the show. Meanwhile, she also occasionally guest stars on the spin-off, Station 19.

The no-nonsense and formidable Miranda Bailey initially hated her interns but became a maternal figure to them over time. She gave birth during a perceived threat to the hospital and applied for a pediatric surgery fellowship.

But her husband threatened divorce if she accepted, which made them break up. Chandra Wilson has won awards for her portrayal of Miranda, who returned as an attending general surgeon in Season 19.

Chandra has also lent her voice to various animated TV series, including American Dad! In 2018, she directed an episode of Grey’s Anatomy and has since gone on to direct several episodes.

Additionally, she has made appearances on other TV shows such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and The Good Wife. Chandra has won numerous awards for her portrayal of Miranda Bailey. She’s still on the main show but also appears on Station 19 as a recurring character.